By Deiter Kratzer

Transmitting the Dharma to the West needs both a clear structure and a competent presentation. Over the past years much thought has gone into preparing a structure that can be applied at any time and at any one of the FPMT centers, so that a person living at a center will have a chance to receive all necessary teachings and so that visiting students may chose a particular center for the pursuit of any particular subject.

The recent study and proposal of educational outlines, compiled by C. Miller, gives a good view of a structure and suggestions how to apply it. It is hoped that all centers study these proposals carefully and find ways to apply them.

In addition to the already existing proposals, let me direct attention to some topics which I have found relevant in my 15 years of working and teaching at Dharma centers around the world …

Qualification for Western Dharma Transmitters

I see the role that Western teachers play as two-fold: a) helping others to find a new way of life which includes giving assistance in terms of integrating Dharma into daily life, and b) building psychological bridges from the teachi­ngs given by Tibetan lamas in the traditional style.

What qualifies someone to transmit the Dharma? Lama Zopa Rinpoche referred to the individual practice of that person as the measure for doing such a job. I think that only the guru would be able to judge whether the practice of a person qualifies him or her and thus it is the guru who would actually give the permission for the disciple to teach, or rather to transmit the Dharma

In addition to this, a thorough education must take place and since our specialty is the lam-rim it means that anyone who teaches at FPMT centers should be well versed in all aspects of the lam-rim. How such an education can be obtained is clearly outlined in the education proposals. I feel that it is totally inadmissible that someone decides to be a self-proclaimed teacher by having maybe studied for some time and then decides on his own to “benefit” others by teaching the Dharma.

Certificates for Practicing Western Teachers

For those few Western teachers who are already working at various Dharma centers, an official recognition by the Central Office with Lama Zopa’s signature and approval should be given in the form of a paper or diploma or whatever. This would also help to give this person an official recognition and enhances his or her standing in both the community and in the application for other assignments.

Western Dharma Teachers Education Program

Western teachers should furthermore be educated in how to actually present the Dharma. This refers to the technique of delivering discourses as well as the selection of relevant subjects designed to meet the needs of Western audiences. This requires that a Western Dharma Teachers Education Program has to be set up (maybe on a regional basis). Some attempt to set up such a program has been made already in Europe, but this should take on a more structured and official nature.

“… I expect to be at Chenrezig until the end of October, then I will go via Singapore to India from where I expect to catch a plane to Europe in early January 1991. There are plans to go to various places in Europe and eventually I may end up in Valencia, Spain, to teach there for several months… (Last year I went to Manjushri, Ulverston, on a private visit.)”